The second annual Troubadour Festival is back this weekend in Barrie and organizers hope to top last year’s success.
From Friday to Sunday, the multi-genre music festival puts the spotlight on songwriters through live performances spread out over different locations.
Producer Ryan Andersen said that, after last year’s festival, there was a small breather before the team got back to work.
“The 2019 Troubadour Festival is bigger and takes a lot of planning, but by fixing last year’s hiccups and combining that with new ideas, we believe this year will be even better," he said.
More than 2,500 music lovers attended the festival last year, which saw more than 30 songwriters perform in five venues, headlined by Joel Plaskett.
This year, there are 40 artists in six locations around the downtown and even almost outside the city limits.
Mavricks Music Hall, The Foxx Lounge, Homestead Artisan Bakery and Cafe, Donaleigh’s Temple Lounge and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will allow folks to walk from act to act, while a special Saturday evening performance by the Cowboy Junkies will take place at Heritage Estate Winery at 421 Penetanguishene Rd.
Chas Hay, another producer with the festival, said the Cowboy Junkies could be the perfect choice for the event.
“We knew this year we wanted a legendary Canadian artist or band, and the Cowboy Junkies fit that description,” said Hay. “They are the classic country-folk sound that draws people in and have been doing it for decades.
"It will be a real treat for anyone coming down.”
This year’s headliner is east coast musician Matt Andersen, who has amassed multiple awards in his career and has 18 million views on YouTube.
Andersen will play Mavricks, located at 46 Dunlop St. W., on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The mixture of genres allows fans from every walk of musical background to enjoy different sounds.
Reggae, rock, folk, blues and country are covered this weekend while there is even a musical-documentary playing at the Uptown Theatre on Saturday evening.
“The film is called Echo in the Canyon and was put together by Jakob Dylan, son of Bob Dylan,” said Hay. “It looks at the California sound and the scene that shaped it. The film is perfect for this festival and trying to allow people the opportunity to experience something different than what they’re used to.”
On Friday and Saturday, the festival will feature various songwriters (some solo and some with bands) performing every hour, 8 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Music fans can purchase a full festival pass for that will allow them access into all festival-related events.
Other ticket options are also available at the website and you can pick up tickets at the Troubadour office at 38 Maple Ave., today (Thursday, Sept. 19) from noon until 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon until midnight.
Free public shows on Friday and Saturday will be presented at the Meridian Place Amphitheatre with artisans and craft brewers joining musicians in Troubadour Village (Meridian Place), which will include family friendly entertainment and activities.
